The Bairn of Brianag

Last year he had been the only man at home; this year there were more. A man of perhaps my father's age and three younger men sat at the table with Robbie and me; neither of the women joined us at supper.

"You folks cannot continue into the back country with just yourselves," said the older gentleman, whose name was Paul Collins. I forgot the young men's names as soon as I heard them. "The bandits are rampaging all over the mountains. You will not escape them on the road."

"The bandits?" said Robbie. "I was just through here last week, sir; has there been trouble?"

"I reckon there was some trouble just two days ago," he said; "one of the farmers has been burned out, his servants killed, his wife and daughters violated-"

"Sir! I beg you!" said Robbie, his voice harsh. "My wife is present."

"I beg your pardon, ma'am," he said, and I bowed my head, my stomach suddenly heaving, my head giddy, sweat breaking out on my lip.

"The band has grown to over fifteen," Mr. Collins continued. "You must have an armed escort as soon as you can. Do not go on longer than one more day, lad; I beg you to consider it. Send your servant ahead to bring back some to travel with you, for otherwise I fear that you will not arrive unmolested."

I was terrified by this speech; after supper I followed Robbie out to the wagon.

"Robbie, what does this mean? Surely we must return to Brianag, if the road is not safe."

"I shall send Pete ahead as soon as it is light; at the next post we will send word to the McDonalds to join us. There are enough of us to take care of-" He stopped and looked at me.

"Do not fret, lass," he said. "I'm sure it is but a bit of gossip. But I shall send ahead for our relatives to join us for the last days of our journey. No one will molest us when the McDonalds are with us!"

I went inside and to my room.

Rabbit was already there, waiting for me. Her eyes were huge as she undressed me and helped me to bed. I had no words of consolation to offer her. She slept on the floor close beside me. I myself slept soundly, from exhaustion.

The next morning, we waited until light before departing. The Collins men stood around the wagon as Rabbit and I came out of the house, Rabbit so close behind me that she bumped into me when I stopped. I reached back and gave her a little push, but she did not move. I could feel her breath on my shoulder.